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Helstar > Vampiro > Reviews > Dragonflame1994
Helstar - Vampiro

Die, Monster! You Don't Belong In This World! - 96%

Dragonflame1994, October 14th, 2016

After over 2 decades of mostly lackluster releases, Helstar have found themselves at the top of their US power metal game once again! Generally speaking, most of the time when a band decides to "Go back to their roots" or release a sequel to their magnum opus, it turns out to be completely uninspired and an insult to their former glory, but that is not the case with Helstar's latest effort. Vampiro may have a bit of that mechanical, modernized production, but once you hear the album you'll think you've stepped back in time to the late 80s once again because Vampiro closely resembles Nosferatu in both lyrical and musical content.

Helstar are at their best when they play a fusion of thrashy power metal and neo-classical shred and that's what they have at long last returned to with this latest endeavor. Lyrically, this album is a very serviceable adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic tale, written in a mature horror-like style that never feels cheesy like a lot of power metal often can, it also reminds me of Castlevania and that's my favorite game franchise, so Castlevania Metal is ok with me. From the opening of Awaken Unto Darkness until the ending of Black Cathedral, Vampiro relentlessly assaults the listener with an onslaught of thrashy galloping riffs and blazing Baroque influenced solos and melodies (One of my favorite moments of the album is the chaotic, shreddy instrumental track Malediction) along with James Rivera's unique tenor voice, which is just as razor sharp as ever and really helps with the atmosphere of the album between his aggressive mid range, his ear pricing wails and his unearthly Dani Filth like black metal shrieks, you really feel like you're listening to Dracula himself.

The biggest problem with the album is due to there not being much variety in the songwriting (Besides a couple songs like Abolish the Sun and Awaken Unto Darkness having some epic doom-ish moments), and because of the style of production the album has, it's about as draining as the vampiric lord himself sinking his fangs into your neck. I personally do love this draining feeling because it makes the concept just that much more convincing, but I could see it being a turn off for some people, however I still say If you're a fan of Helstar's original masterpiece Nosferatu, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Castlevania or just really well crafted power thrash and don't mind a bit of extra shredding on the side, I'd highly recommend checking out this fantastic sacrificial offering to the genre from Helstar.